Furniture leg



Nov. 1.1, 1958 E. F. H-EALY 2,859,804

FURNITURE LEG g I Filed March 3, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ELTON F HEAL) ED, I w 46 BY W WW3" W A 7'7'0RNEYS Nov. 11, 1958 'E. F. HEALY 2,859,804

- FURNITURE LEG 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 JT/Iluljlllll L I/VVE/VTOR ELTON F HEAL) A TTOR/VEYS United States Patent 2,859,804 FURNITURE LEG Elton F. Healy, Miami, Application March 3, 1955 Serial No. 41,8'l7

7 claims. (oi; 155-491 This invention relates to furniture legs and particularly to iiew improved removable furniture legs. 7

It is an important object of the present invention to providenew and improved detachable furniture legs and more particularly furniture legs made from a plurality of sheet metal pieces which are assembled and held together to form a rigid hollow furniture leg.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a furiiitufe leg of the type set forth, the main body of which is formed of four identical leg sections which can be assembled to form a tapered square leg. I -Yet another object of the invention is. to provide a furniture leg of the type set forth which is of'riaiiiehtal', easily formed by standard forming operations, and has good stipctural strength,

.Yet another object of the invention is to provide in a furniture leg of the type set forth novel means for assembling the various body sections and to form a structurally whieh has been applied the improved leg of the present invention;

' Figure 2 is a perspective exploded view with certain poitions broken away illustiating the manner in which the various parts of the furniture leg of the present invention are assembled;

Figure 3 is a view in vertical section through a furniture leg of the present invention substantially as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 33 of Figu're 4;

Figure 4 is a view of the furniture leg of the present invention as seen from. the bottom andin the direction of the arrows along the line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a view in horizontal section illustrating the manner of attaching the glide base to the furniture leg substantially as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 55 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a view in horizontal section, substantially as seen in the direction of the arrows alongthe line 66 of Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a view in horizontal. section substantially as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 77 of Figure 3; V

Figure 8 is a view in horizontal section substantially as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 8 8 ofFigure 3; V

Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view in vertical 2,859,804 Patented Nov. 11, 1958 2 section substantially as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 9-j9 of Figure 7; and I j Figure 10 is a fragmentary view in vertical section substantially as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 10'10 of Figure 7. v

There is shown in Figure l of the drawings an article of furniture, more particularly a couch, generally desighated by the numeral 20 to which has been applied a plurality of legs 22 made in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention. The various parts which are assembled to form each of legs 22 are best seen in Figure 2 which is an exploded view; From Figure 2, it will be seen each leg 22 is formed of a plurality of identical body sections 24 which are held in assembled relationship at their upper ends by a bottom mounting plate- 26 and a top mounting plate 28, and are held together at their lower ends by a glidebase 30 which also carries a glide 32. Y 7

Referring to Figures 2 and 5 it will be seen that the body sections 24 are so shaped as to provide a main leg body which is square at any of its various cross sections and which tapers from a larger normally upper disposed end to a smaller and normally lower disposed end. More specifically each body section 24 includes a side 34 which is substantially fiat and has formed on the upper edge thereof a bendable tab 36; The side 34 is substantially flat and tapers from an upper edge 38 to a relatively shorter lower edge 40. The vertically disposed edges 42 and 44 of side 34 taper and converge toward each other at edge 40. Each edge 42 and 44 carries an inturned flange 46 and 48, respectively, the flanges being bent at an acute angle of 45 with respect to the associated side 34. Flange 46 has formed on the upper edge thereof a bendable tab 50 and on the lower edge thereof another bendable tab 52. Flange 48 has similarly formed bendable tabs 54 and 56 formed on the upper and lower edges thereof, respectively.

The four body sections 24 when assembled with the flange 46 of one section lying against the flange 48 of an adjacent section form a square tapered body which is square at any of its various cross sections as is seen in Figures 5, 6 and 8. The body sections 24 are held in this assembled position by a bottom mounting plate 26 and an associated top mounting plate 28. The construction of the bottom mounting plate 26 is shown best in Figures 2 and 8. The shape of bottom mounting plate 26 is preferably square and the dimensions thereof are substantially greater than the dimensions of the upper end of the assembled body sections 24. Formed in bottom mounting plate 26 is a first set of apertures 58 which are semi-circular in shape and are arranged with the straight edge 60, thereof disposed substantially parallel to the adjacent edge of plate 26. Preferably the apertures 58 are arranged toward one corner of plate 56 and are positioned so that the tabs 36 on body sections 24 can extend upwardly therethrough with the outer surface of tabs 36 lying against the straight edge 60 of apertures 58. Another set of four circular apertures 62 is provided and the apertures 62 are spaced between the apertures 58. The apertures 62 are adapted to receive the tabs 50 and 54 which extend upwardly therethrough and above plate 26. Another set of four circular apertures 64 is provided in plate 26, these apertures being arranged along two sides of plate 26, as may be best seen in Figure 8.

There is mounted on bottom plate'26 a bolt generally designated by the numeral 66 which is used to attach the leg 22 to the furniture piece 20. Bolt 66 includes a threaded portion 68 which passes through a circular aper 'tu're in plate 26 and has a head 70 which is adapted to abut against one side of plate 26. In order firm y to secure bolt 66 to plate 26, a portion of the shank is upset as at 72. I

The top mounting plate 28 is also formed square and is shaped like plate 26. Four semi-circular depressions 74 are formed in plate 28 to correspond to the semi-circular apertures 58. A slot 76 is also formed along the straight edge of the semi-circular depression 70, slots 76 receiving the tabs 36. Tabs 36 are so shaped that they can be bent over into and overlie the semi-circular depressed portions 74 so that the upper surface of the tabs 36 lie preferably below the upper surface of top mounting plate 28; When tabs 36 are bent over as shown in Figures 7 to 9, the body sections 24 and the mounting plates 26 and 28 are firmly interconnected.

Formed between the semi-circular depressions 74 are four circular depressions 78 having diagonally disposed slots 80 formed in the center thereof. The slots 80 are adapted to receive a pair of juxtaposed ,tabs 50 and 54 which are bent over as is best seen in Figures 7 and 10 in opposite directions so that the upper surfaces thereof lie preferably below the upper surface of plate 28. The bending over of tabs 50 and 54 also aids in holding the parts in the assembled positions.

Referring now to Figures 2, 3 and 4, the structure of the glide will be described in detail. The glide base 30 is preferably shaped square and has an upper surface 82 whose dimensions are substantially equal to the dimensions of the lower end of the assembled body sections 24. Four diagonally disposed slots 84 are formed in the upper surface 82 and are adapted to receive juxtaposed tabs 52 and 56 therethrough. Tabs 52 and 56 are then bent over in opposite directions as is shown in Figure whereby to provide means to hold the lower assembled ends of body sections 24 in operative relationship.

As may be best seen in Figure 3, a slanting downwardly and outwardly disposed flange 86 is formed around the upper surface 82 and has formed on the lower edges thereof a downwardly depending lower flange 88. Lower flange 88 is generally square in shape and has an inturned lip 90 which is adapted to engage the glide 32 Glide 32 has an upper portion 92 which is square in shape and has an outer dimension substantially equal to the inner dimension of flange 88 whereby glide 92 can be pressed into glide base 30 and gripped therein by lips 92. The lower floor contacting portion 94 of glide 32 has a smaller area than the upper portion 92. Portion 94 extends a substantial distance below the lower edge of flange 88 whereby to give a smooth glide action.

Glide 32 is preferably formed of a durable plastic and may be formed for example of nylon which is a preferred material of construction.

The body sections 24 are preferably formed of relatively light gauge sheet metal, for example, stainless steel or aluminum, anodized aluminum being a preferred material of construction. The glide base 30 may be formed of similar material or may be formed of brass or some other colored metal for decorative contrast. The plates 26 and 28 may also be formed from the same material as body sections 24 or of ordinary steel. The leg when fully assembled is decorative and presents a pleasing appearance. As has been explained above, all of the parts holding the leg together including the various tabs are hidden from view after the leg has been assembled.

A preferred manner of assembling the completedleg 22 on a typical furniture frame is shown in Figure 3. An aperture 96 is provided through furniture frame member 98 to receive the threaded shank 68. A washer 100 and a threaded nut 102 are then placed upon shank 98 and the nut 102 is screwed down to assemble leg 22 firmly to frame member 93. In order to insure close positioning of the leg with respect to the frame member 98, an enlarged aperture 104 is formed in the top mounting plate 28 to receive the bolt 66 including the upset portions 72 thereof.

In an alternative manner of mounting the leg 22 on a piece of furniture, the bolt 66 is eliminated. In such cases screws or similar fasteners are inserted in apertures 64 in plate 26 and upwardly through the aligned apertures 106 in top plate 28. These fasteners are secured to the furniture frame whereby to hold the leg 22 assembled thereon.

It will be seen that there has been provided .a furniture leg which fulfills all of the objects and advantages set forth above. Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown for purposes of illustration, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only as set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A furniture leg comprising a plurality of body sections, a rigidifying flange formed on each of the longitudinal edges of said body sections and disposed at an acute angle therewith, tab means formed on one end of said body sections, a plate having apertures therein rereiving said tab means, said tab means being bent over to engage said plate and to hold said body sections in assembled relationship with the flanges on adjacent body sections engaging and extending inwardly toward the center of the hollow leg body so formed, means on said plate for attaching said plate and associated body sections to a furniture member, and a glide attached to the lower end of said leg body.

2. A furniture leg comprising four body sections, a rigidifying flange formed on each of the longitudinally extending edges of each body section, said flanges being disposed at an acute angle of substantially 45 with respect to said body sections, tab means formed on one end of each of said body sections, a plate having apertures therein receiving said tab means, said tab means being bent over to engage said plate and to hold said body sections in assembled relationship to form a hollow leg body, the flanges on adjacent body sections lying parallel to and against each other and extending inwardly toward the center of said hollow leg body, means on said plate for attaching said plate and said body sections to a furniture member, and a glide attached to the other end of said body sections.

3. A furniture leg comprising four body sections, a rigidifying flange formed on each of the longitudinally extending edges of each body section, a first tab means formed on one end of each body section, a second tab means formed on the adjacent end of each of said flanges, a plate having a first set of apertures therein receiving said first tab means and a second set of apertures therein to receive said second tab means, said tab means being bent over to engage said plate and to hold said body sections in assembled relationship to form a hollow leg body, said flanges in the assembled condition extending inwardly toward the center of said hollow leg body to provide reinforcement therefor, means on said plate to attach said plate and said body sections to a furniture member, and a glide attached to the other end of said body sections.

4. A furniture leg comprising a plurality of body sections, tab means formed on one end of each of said body sections, a first mounting plate having apertures therein receiving said tab means, a mounting stud attached to and extending from said first mounting plate, and a second plate having apertures therein to receive said tab means, the portions of said second plate adjacent the apertures therein being deformed toward said first plate and into the apertures in said first plate, said tab means being bent over to engage in the deformed portions of said second plate with the exposed surface of said tab means positioned no higher than the exposed surface of said sec end plate to hold said plates and said body sections in assembled relationship to form a hollow leg body.

5. A furniture leg comprising .a plurality of body sec- (dons, a rigidifying flange formed on each of the longiud n l edges of said body sections and disposed at an acute angle therewith, first tab means formed on one end of said body sections, a plate having apertures therein receiving said first tab means, said first tab means being bent over to engage said plate and to hold the associated ends of said body sections in assembled position, second tab means formed on the other end of said body sections, a base having apertures therein receiving said second tab means, said second tab means being bent over to engage said base and to hold the adjacent ends of said body sections in assembled relationship, the flanges on adjacent body sections engagingand extending inwardly toward the center of the hollow leg body so formed to reinforce the leg body, means on said plate for attaching said leg body to a furniture member, and a glide mounted on said base.

6. A furniture leg comprising four body sections, a rigidifying flange formed on each of'the longitudinally extending edges of each body section, said flanges being disposed at an acute angle of substantially 45 with respect to said body sections, first tab means formed on one end of each of said body sections, a mounting plate having apertures therein receiving said first tab means, said first tab means being bent over to engage said mounting plate and to hold the adjacent ends of said body sections in assembled relationship, second tab means formed on the other end of each of said body sections, and a base having apertures therein receiving said second tab means, said second tab means being bent over to engage said base and to hold the associated ends of said body sections in assembled relationship to form a hollow leg body, the flanges on adjacent body sections lying parallel to and against each other and extending inwardly toward the center of said hollow leg body.

7. A furniture leg comprising four identical body sections, each of said body sections being tapered and having a rigidifying flange formed on each of said tapering sides, a first tab means formed on each body section at the wider end thereof, a second tab means formed on each of said flanges adjacent the wider end of each of said body sections, a plate having apertures therein receiving said first and second tab means, said first and second tab means being bent over to engage said plate and to hold said body sections in assembled relationship, third tab means formed on each body section at the narrower end thereof, fourth tab means formed on each of said flanges adjacent the narrower ends of each of said body sections, a base having apertures therein receiving said third and fourth tab means, said third and fourth tab means being bent over to engage said plate and to hold said body sections in assembled relationship to form a hollow leg body, said flanges being formed at an angle of substantially with respect to the associated body sections, the flanges of adjacent body sections lying parallel to and against each other and extending toward the center of the hollow leg body, an outwardly extending flange formed on said base, and a glide engaged by said flange and covering said third and fourth tab means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 777,515 Keil Dec. 13, 1904 1,559,699 Herold Nov. 3, 1925 1,800,456 Lawrence Apr. 14, 1931 2,047,346 Weston July 14, 1936 2,086,009 Walker July 6, 1937 2,527,603 Wallance Oct. 31, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 110,486 Australia Apr. 28, 1939 547,836 Germany Mar. 29, 1932 

